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THE PLAYS OF A. W. PINERO 

Price, 60 cents each 

The Amazons* —Farce in Three Acts. 7 males, 5 females. Scenery, 
an exterior and an interior. Time, a full evening. Royalty, #10.00. 
The Cabinet Minister. —Farce in Four Acts, xo males, 9 females. 

Scenery, three interiors. Plays two hours and a half. Royalty, #10.00. 
The Big Drum* —Comedy in Four Acts. 12 males, 5 females. Sce¬ 
nery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. Acting rights reserved. 
Dandy Dick. —Farce in Three Acts. 7 males, 4 females. Scenery, 
two interiors. Plays two hours and a half. Royalty, #10.00. 

The Gay Lord Quex. —Comedy in Four Acts. 4 males, 10 females. 

Scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. 

His House in Order. —Comedy in Four Acts. 9 males, 4 females. 

Scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. Acting rights reserved. 
The Hobby Horse. —Comedy in Three Acts. 10 males, 5 females* 
Scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Royalty, #10.00. Plays 2^hrs* 
Iris* —Drama in Five Acts. 7 males, 7 females. Scenery, three inte¬ 
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Lady Bountiful. —Play in Four Acts. 8 males, 7 females. Scenery, 
four interiors. Plays a full evening. Royalty, # 10.00 for each performance. 
Letty. —Drama in Four Acts and an Epilogue. 10 males, 5 females. 
Scenery, complicated. Plays a full evening. 

The Magistrate. —Farce in Three Acts. 12 males, 4 females. Scenery, 
all interiors. Plays two hours and a half. Royalty, #10.00. 

Mid-Channel. —Play in Four Acts. 6 males, 5 females. Scenery, 
three interiors. Plays two and a half hours. Royalty, #10.00. 

The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith* —Drama in Four Acts. 8 males, 
5 females. Scenery, all interiors. Plays a full evening. 

The Profligate. —Play in Four Acts. 7 males, 5 females. Scenery, 
three interiors. Right of performance reserved. Plays a full evening. 
The Schoolmistress. —Farce in Three Acts. 9 males, 7 females. 
Scenery, three interiors. Royalty, #10.00 for each performance. 

The Second Mrs. Tanqueray.— Play in Four Acts. 8 males, 5 

females. Scenery, three interiors. Acts a full evening. 

Sweet Lavender. —Comedy in Three Acts. 7 males, 4 females. 
Scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. Royalty, #10.00. 

The Thunderbolt. —Comedy in Four Acts. 10 males, 9 females. 

Scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. Acting rights reserved. 
The Times* —Comedy in Four Acts. 6 males, 7 females. Scene, a 
single interior. Plays a full evening. Royalty, #10.00. 

The Weaker Sex. —Comedy in Three Acts. 8 males, 8 females. 
Scenery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. Royalty, #10.00. 

A Wife Without a Smile. —Comedy in Three Acts. 5 males, 4 fe¬ 
males. Scene, a single interior. Royalty, #10.00. Plays a full evening. 

Costumes modem in all cases. 

BAKER, Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass. 










Christmas Doings 

A Group of Little Christmas Plays, 
Entertainments and Recitations 


By 

LETTIE C. VAN DERVEER 

NOTICE 

These plays are published for amateurs only. Pro¬ 
fessional companies are forbidden the use of them in any 
form or under any title, without the consent of the author, 
who may be addressed in care of the publishers. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1920 



Copyright, 1920, by Lettie C. Van Derveer 
Free for amateur performance . Professional stage 
and moving picture rights reserved 


Christmas Doings 

OCT 22 1920 

©C 1 A 603719 


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Christmas Doings 


CONTENTS 

Plays 

The Lonely Little Evergreen Tree 

Mixed Baskets. 

How Christmas Came to the Orphans’ Home 
The Talented Dollies .... 
The Christmas Picture 


Recitations 

A Greeting . 

Tell Santy . 

Sing a Song o’ Sixpence 
Christmas Hopes 
Boy Wanted ! 

WONDERINGS . 

Secrets 
Not Like Jack 
A Warning . 

A City Tree . 

The Old Woman Picking Her G 
A Suspect .... 
Santy’s Hired Man 
A Twisted Tongue 
Backwards Words 
A Christmas Sock 
A Kiss for the Prettiest Girl 
Gobble Gobble Goo ! . 

Keep the Pot A-Boiling ! . 

Why I Like Sunday School 
A Christmas for Lonesome Folks 


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16 
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39 
42 


57 

57 

5 ? 

58 

59 

60 

61 

61 

62 

64 

64 

65 

67 

68 
69 
72 
74 
77 
79 
81 












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CHRISTMAS PLAYS 



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V 






The Lonely Little Evergreen 
Tree 

The theme of this little play is a white “ gift ” 
Christmas. On the Sunday preceding the enter¬ 
tainment of the Sunday School have children 
stationed at the church doors as the congregation 
are leaving, giving to each person a little card 
bearing the following lines: 

Won’t you bring a little gift 
All wrapped in white, 

To help Old Santa help the poor 
Next.night! 

These gifts are to be collected at the doors on 
the night of the entertainment and go with those 
that the Snow Sprites leave at the foot of the 
tree, to be given later to poor people. 


CHARACTERS 

Santa Claus. In usual red, fur-trimmed out- 
of-doors costume; carries big bag, not very 
well filled. 


7 




8 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Snow Sprites. Any number of little boys and 
girls, dressed in white from head to foot 
(pattern of clown suits; pointed caps). They 
sparkle with tinsel and Christmas-tree snow. 
Unseen Voices ( little tree and choruses ). Other 
children hidden from view of audience, tree 
voice back of tree if possible. 

SCENE.— Stage floor covered with white to 
represent snow; dark curtain at hack, or pref¬ 
erably, hank of laurel. As curtain is drawn, 
one tree, about six feet in height, is shown at 
centre of stage, slightly hack. 

Tree Voice {chanting). 

I’m a lonely, lonely, lonely little evergreen tree, 
And there doesn't seem to be 
Any place for me. 

For the big, big church I am far too small ; 

For the little brown house I am much too tall ; 
And there doesn’t seem to be 
Any place at all 

For a lonely, lonely, lonely little evergreen tree. 
Unseen Chorus. 

It’s a lonely, lonely, lonely little evergreen tree, 
And there doesn’t seem to be 
Any place for it you see ; 

For the big, big church it is far too small; 

For the little brown house it is much too tall; 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


9 


And there doesn't seem to be 
Any place at all 

For this lonely, lonely, lonely little evergreen tree. 

(Snow Sprites trip in, carrying white baskets 
containing bits of cotton and sparkling 
tinsel .) 

Snow Sprites. 

Heigho! Heigho, there's work for us to-night! 

Everything around here has got to be white. 

For Christmas is coming! It’s very nearly due. 

So get to work, Brothers, or we shan’t get 
through! 

(They toss the bits of snow and tinsel on little 
tree and all about; moving softly and swiftly 
back and forth. Then the sound of ap¬ 
proaching sleigh-bells is heard, and the 
Sprites pause in listening attitudes, hand at 
ear; then say more softly as they gradually 
disappear .) 

Heigho! Heigho! there! Don’t you hear those 
bells? 

Santa Claus is coming! their ting-aling-ling! tells. 

Hide, little Brothers, until he passes through! 

We mustn’t hinder Santa Claus, he has so much 
to do. 

(A voice is heard as Sprites scamper away.) 

Whoa-o-o-a! 


IO 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


(Santa comes in view.) 

Santa Claus (sings to tune “ Reuben I Have 
Long Been Thinking ”). . 

Dear! Oh dear! I’ve long been thinking 
This world would be sad enough 
If I should—and now it’s happened,— 
Should run out of Christmas stuff! 

Unseen Chorus. 

Trouble-lubble-loo! 

Awful trouble! 

Trouble-lubble-loo! 

Trouble enough! 

Here old-dear old-kind old Santa 
Has run out of Christmas stuff! 

Santa Claus. 

Dolls and Teddy-bears grow scarcer, 
Horns and drums come awful high; 
Picture books and skates and puzzles 
All your life is worth to buy. 

Unseen Chorus (repeats). 
Trouble-lubble-loo, etc. 

Santa Claus. 

Most run out of nuts and raisins; 

Candy canes are pretty low; 

Orange basket’s almost empty; 

And I’ve many miles to go. 

(Unseen Chorus repeats.) 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


II 


Santa Claus. 

Got some little children waiting 

On the last round that I go, 

Awful poor! They need me special, 

Hate to disappoint them so. 

(Unseen Chorus repeats.) 

Santa Claus (sees tree). 

Ah! a little tree! I have it! 

Lots of people pass this way. 

I will hang a sign upon it ; 

Let me see,—what shall I say ?— 

{Scratches head thoughtfully while chorus 
sings.) 

(Santa Claus takes large piece of cardboard 
out of bag. It is already lettered in large 
print, but Santa goes through the motions of 
printing it; then turns it toward audience 
and hangs it on tree. Sings words that are 
on sign .) 

Wanted—help! to fill up stockings. 
Leave some presents by this tree. 

I will stop a little later 
Dearest people, don’t fail me. 

{Signed) Santa Claus. 

Unseen Chorus {joyfully). 

Trouble-lubble-loo! 

Good-bye trouble! 


12 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Trouble-lubble-loo! 

You can’t stay; 

Santa Claus won’t fail the children; 

Santa Claus has found a way! 

Santa Claus (sings as he moves off stage). 

Hi! there! Ho! there! Dasher! Dancer! 

Donder! Blitzen! shake your hoofs! 

Got to do a lot of prancin’ 

Cross an awful lot of roofs! 

(Unseen Chorus, as before, joyfully.) 

(As sound of sleigh-bells grows fainter in dis¬ 
tance Sprites steal softly from hiding 
places .) 

Snow Sprites. 

Heigho! Heigho, there! Snow Sprites, did you 
hear? 

Extra work for us to do, to hunt up Christmas 
cheer! 

We’ll tap! tap! at the windows of all the folks 
we know, 

And tell them Santa needs their help; come on 
now we must go! 

(Sprites disappear.) 

Voice of Little Tree. 

I am going to be a busy little evergreen tree; 

For old Santa Claus has found 
Some lovely work for me; 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


13 


To help to gather gifts I am not too small; 

Nor to keep them till he comes I am not too tall; 
And I’m going to help to make 
The children happy, all; 

I am going to be a busy little evergreen tree. 

Unseen Chorus. 

It is going to be a busy little evergreen tree; 

For old Santa Claus has found 
Some work for it you see; 

To help gather gifts it is not too small; 

Nor to keep them till he comes it is not too tall; 
And it’s going to help to make 
The children happy, all ; 

It is going to be a busy little evergreen tree! 

Snow Sprites (return with baskets overflow¬ 
ing with white-covered gifts of all sizes. Some 
they place at foot of tree; some they toss on its 
branches, chanting ). 

Heigho! Heigho, there! who’d ever think to see 
Outdoors,—and full of presents,—a little Christ¬ 
mas tree! 

Our Santa Claus has blessed you by finding work 
of cheer; 

And you are helping, Little Tree, a great big lot 
this year. 

(1 Sleigh-bells are again heard, and Sprites 
scuttle away into nooks and corners as 
Santa’s “ Who-o-oa! ” is heard, and he 
comes into sight.) 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


14 

Santa (shows joy at sight of little tree, sings'). 
Hi! there! Ho! there! I just knew it! 

Couldn’t fail because you see 
Christmas hearts are full of giving. 

'(Lifts hands over tree as if in blessing .) 

Bless you, little Christmas tree! 

Unseen Chorus (softly and joyously ). 
Trouble-lubble-loo! 

Good-bye trouble! 

Trouble-lubble-loo! 

You can’t stay; 

Santa Claus won’t fail the children! 

Santa Claus has found a way! 

Tree Voice. 

I’m a happy, happy, happy little Christmas Tree! 
For the blessed work of giving 
Is the work for me! 

For the big, big church I may be too small, 

For the little brown house I may be too tall; 

But in memory of the greatest 
Christmas gift of all 

I’m a happy, happy, happy little Christmas Tree! 

(Santa Claus is filling his bag; Snow Sprites 
steal softly from hiding places as Little 
Tree chants. All form semi-circle, tree in 
centre as they join Unseen Chorus in 
chanting .) 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 15 

It's a happy, happy, happy little Christmas tree, 
For the blessed work of giving 
Is the work for it you see; 

For the big, big church it may be too small ; 

For the little brown house it may be too tall; 

But in memory of the greatest 
Christmas Gift of all 

It's a happy, happy, happy little Christmas tree! 
CURTAIN 


Mixed Baskets 


CHARACTERS 

Mrs. Joyce. 

Joe and Lucile Joyce, her children . 
Old Mrs. Nixon, a seamstress . 


ACT I 

SCENE.— Sitting-room of the Joyce home. Old 
Mrs. Nixon gathering up sewing materials 
into faded hag . Her gray hair (wig or pow¬ 
dered) unbecomingly drawn hack into ugly 
knot. Clothes old-fashioned and rusty black. 

Mrs. Nixon (talking to self). Funny, what’s 
become of my scissors! I s’pose one of them 
young ones has had them —(sees them on floor 
under chair). Oh! here they are, for a wonder. 
Now, where’s my tape-measure? Queer how 
everything walks off in this house! (Finds it 
hung about neck.) Humph! Well, it’s a good 
thing I did have it on me or land knows where 
16 



CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


17 


it would be. Where is my needle book? Beats 
all how I can’t keep track of a thing-! ( Dis¬ 

covers it pinned on front of her waist.) Well, 
it’s a mighty good thing I can pin a few things 
fast to me. Maybe now if nobody around here 
has wanted to use the rest of my things I can get 
ready to go home. 

{Picks up large gray shawl from chair; throws 
it over head and shoulders, fastening at 
throat. Mrs. Joyce enters room, open purse 
in hand.) 

Mrs. Joyce {in cheerful voice). Well, Mrs. 
Nixon, I see you are getting ready to go. I 
guess you are tired too after all the nice sewing 
you have done. 

Mrs. Nixon {sourly). Don’t know as it’s so 
nice, but I guess it’ll hold anyway. 

Mrs. Joyce. I think it looks very nice, and 
I’m sure it will hold. And here is a little extra 
for Christmas. {Holds out money.) 

Mrs. Nixon. Thanky, Mrs. Joyce, but I 
don’t feel to take what I ain’t earned. 

Mrs. Joyce. Oh! but you have. I’m sure 
you often take extra stitches for us. {Presses 
money into Mrs. Nixon’s hand. Mrs. Nixon 
moves toward door.) I wish you a merry 
Christmas, Mrs. Nixon. 

Mrs. Nixon {grimly). Well, it’s more than 
I expect to have. Good-bye! 


i8 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


(Mrs. Joyce looks after her , shaking head 
slowly .) 

Mrs.] Joyce ( compassionately ). Poor old 

soul! 

(Joe and Lucile enter room laughing and 
talking; fling down school books.) 

Lucile. Oh, Mother, isn’t Mrs. Nixon too 
cross for anything? We saw her just now and 
called “ Merry Christmas! ” to her, and she said 
not to count chickens before they hatched, that 
it might be anything but merry by this time to¬ 
morrow. 

Joe. I wanted to holler: “ Cheer up, the worst 
is yet to come! ’ ’ but I didn’t this time, Mother. 

Mrs. Joyce. I’m glad of that, Son. Remem¬ 
ber she is old and lonely. Which reminds me,— 
I want you and Lucile to take a basket to her 
and one to Miss Sally this afternoon. 

Joe. Aw, say, Mother, why didn’t you let Mrs. 
Nixon tote her own basket? Cross old bear! 

Lucile. Miss Sally is different. It’s a pleas¬ 
ure to do anything for her. 

Mrs. Joyce. Well, dears, I guess it won’t hurt 
you much to “ tote ” both of them. And of 
course I wouldn’t expect Mrs. Nixon to carry 
hers home when I’ve four young arms to call 
upon. I’ll get them now, and if you’d rather 
you may just leave them at the door; ring the 
bell and scamper. ( Goes for baskets.) 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 19 

Lucile. Well! I surely would rather with the 
one for Mrs. Nixon. 

Joe. And let’s do it with Miss Sally’s too. 
It is more of a surprise just to find the basket, 
and no folks waiting around for their thanks. 

(Mrs. Joyce returns carrying two large handle 
baskets exactly alike; each covered with a 
white cloth; sprays of holly lying on both; a 
much larger and prettier spray on one than 
on the other.) 

Mrs. Joyce. Here they are. The one for 
Mrs. Nixon is nearly all food, but our Miss 
Sally’s is quite different, as you know. It is this 
one with the larger spray of holly. 

Lucile. The dear! I’m going to run up there 
to-morrow and get her to put on that lovely 
lavender kimono and darling cap with the rosettes 
that Grandma made. And do you think she’ll 
like the slippers from me, Mother? 

Mrs. Joyce. I know she will, dear. 

Joe. And do you s’pose she’ll guess that I 
carved out and painted the rings for her knitting 
bag? 

Mrs. Joyce. If she doesn’t guess I’ll let her 
know it, Joey. To her that will be a great part 
of the pleasure of owning it. 

Lucile. And did you put in some of your 
special marmalade, Mother? 

Mrs. Joyce. Yes, and a box of Aunt May’s 
delicious candies, and that lovely illustrated book 


20 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


of old songs that I got in the city. Well, run 
along, my young Santa Clauses, before the dark¬ 
ness catches you. ( She goes out first.) 

{Children draw on mittens, talking; baskets 
at their feet.) 

Lucile. Mother certainly is good to folks, 
isn’t she ? 

Joe. Yes, and Miss Sally’ll appreciate it. But 
in Mrs. Nixon’s case I think she’s casting her 
pearls before swine. 

Lucile ( shocked). Oh, Joe! What a dread¬ 
ful thing to call a lady! 

Joe. Now, Lu, I wasn’t calling her it,—I was 
just speaking figgeratively. But honest to good¬ 
ness, she is awful mean. A feller don’t feel like 
luggin’ baskets of good stuff to anybody that 
Shouldn’t let him get his ball when it lit on her 
shed roof,- 

Lucile. And she won’t let us girls even have 
the flowers that are on the outside of her 
fence- 

Joe. And when us fellers was rollin’ a big 
snowball in front of her house— swoop! she 
comes with her broom and sends it all to flinders! 
{In showing how she did it Joe accidentally 
sweeps the holly off of both baskets. Lucile 
exclaims in dismay. Joe gathers it up.) Oh, 
no harm done. This is Miss Sally’s, don’t you 

remember-? Sure, it was right here by my 

feet. {Places large bunch on basket at his feet 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


21 


which happens to he the wrong one . Picks up 
basket.) Well, I s'pose x we may as well go and 
get it over. We'll leave Mrs. Nixon's first—and 
then Miss Sally’s. 

Lucile (picking up other basket as they go 
out). And we'll ring the door-bells and then 
run! 


CURTAIN 


ACT II 

SCENE. —Same as Act I with addition of 
trimmed Christmas tree and presents lying 
about among tissue paper, ribbon and string. 
Time, Christmas morning. Lucile curled in 
big chair looking at new book; Joe on floor 
examining skates. Mrs. Joyce enters room 
opening small envelope. 

Mrs. Joyce. Miss Sally is surely prompt with 
her “ thank you." Here it is only Christmas 
morning and she just sent this little note by Old 
EH. 

Lucile (marking place in book with her 
finger). Oh, what does she say, Mother? Didn't 
she just love her kimono ? 


22 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Mrs. Joyce (reads). “Dear Joyce joy-givers: 
Such a wonderful basket did I find on my door- 
step Christmas Eve! And it isn’t a bit hard to 
guess from whence it came. You clever folks. 
How did you guess that my faithful old Hannah 
is laid up with neuralgia, and the pantry shelves 
in consequence almost bare? (Mrs. Joyce looks 
puzzled as she reads on slowly.) So when I 
lifted off the beautiful holly and white coverings 
and looked upon all the good things within my 
mouth began to water in expectation.” 

Lucile. But she can’t eat a kimono! 

Joe. And the paint on those rings will give 
her colic! 

Mrs. Joyce ( continues ). “And I called to 
Hannah: ‘ Hannah, Hannah! The day is saved!’ 
And she said she wanted the wish-bone to see 
if she couldn’t wish away the hoo-doo that had 
got into her jaw.” 

Lucile. Wish-bone! 

Joe. Wish-bone! 

{They look at each other in questioning dis¬ 
may.) 

Mrs. Joyce. Dear me! I’m afraid Miss Sally 
isn’t well herself. This doesn’t sound rational. 
{Reads on.) “ Hannah says that basket has put 
new life in her, and she immediately got the oven 
piping hot ready for our beautiful plump 
chicken.” 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 23 

Joe. Chicken? Why, I thought she always 
had turkey for Christmas. 

Mrs. Joyce ( reads on). “And I’ve turned out 
the cranberry jelly into my old English cutglass 
bowl, and the celery looks like a pale green 
bouquet on the table. And Grandmother Hay¬ 
den’s old blue plate is graced by the prettiest 
mince pie heart could desire.” ( Stops reading to 
remark.) I never knew Miss Sally to go on at 
such length about things they have to eat. 

Lucile. And not a word about how the 
kimono looks or the slippers fit. 

Joe {joking). It must be the rosettes on that 
cap went to her head. 

Lucile {laughing). Joe, you’re a silly goose. 

Mrs. Joyce {reading). “Well, dear folks, I 
just cannot thank you enough. Never did Christ¬ 
mas gifts fill a greater need, and tell those dear 
children I know they each had a hand in it. 
Good-bye, and a beautiful Christmas for you all, 
is the wish of your old friend, Sally Hayden 
Montgomery.” (Mrs. Joyce thoughtfully folds 
note.) Well, I certainly never knew Miss Sally 
to write such a disjointed note as this. It seems 
as if there must be some mistake. {Suddenly.) 
Are you sure you didn’t mix those baskets ? 

Lucile. Why, Mother, we took her the one 
with that big full bunch of holly on top just as 

you said - {Pauses; looks at Joe.) Joe, are 

you sure you put the right holly back when you 
knocked it off that time? 


24 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Joe {worried). Why, I—yes I—I guess I 
did,—I thought I did- 

Mrs. Joyce. Oh dear! I just feel it in my 
bones you mixed them,—and Miss Sally got all 
the food. 

Lucile {almost crying ). And cross old Mrs. 
Nixon all our lovely presents! 

Mrs. Joyce. Hark! there's the door-bell. 
{Calls.) We’re in the sitting-room, May, if it’s 
any of the neighbors. {To children.) Well, 
don’t let it spoil your Christmas, children. We’ll 
try to straighten it out later.—Oh! {Turning to¬ 
ward door in surprise.) Come in, Mrs. Nixon. 

{Old Mrs. Nixon enters; shawl over head as 
before, and so arranged as to cover her 
completely. Mrs. Joyce and children look 
at her anxiously.) 

Mrs. Nixon. Well! I’ve lived to see seventy 
Christmases, and I donno as I ever have been 
more surprised on one of ’em as this one. 
(Joyce family look at each other.) When I 
opened that basket I just couldn’t believe my 
eyes! Brother Joe’s folks sends me things to 
eat every year, and Cousin Rachel an order for 
coal; but never a one of ’em seems to think that 
eatin’ and heatin’ ain’t everything. {Wipes a 
tear.) And so when I seen them pretty things 
and knowed there was somebody that understood 
that even a crabbed old woman likes nice 
things—why I—I just bust right out cryin’ for 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


25 


joy. ( Wipes more tears.) I been lookin’ in the 
glass at an ugly cross old woman for so long I 
forgot she could look different, but she’s a-goin’ 
to after this. I slipped on that kimono over my 
dress, an’ that sweet little be-ribboned cap on my 
head, and fluffed out my hair, and I looked so 
different I says to myself: “Jane Nixon, ain’t 
you ashamed to be so old and ugly when you can 
be real youngish and pretty for the tryin’! ” 
And then I took that singin’-book into the parlor 
and lit the lamp and opened up my old melodeon 
and there I set, Mrs. Joyce, singin’ them songs 
I used to love so till I could seem to feel my 
folks standin’ around joinin’ in just like they 
used to. And after I’d sung clean to page forty- 
two I just naturally hadn’t as much voice left as 
a chippy-bird. So then I eat candy for a spell 
till I happened to see the face of my old clock 
which was sayin’ plain as could be: “Jane 
Nixon, how do you expect to keep young and 
charmin’ if you lose your beauty sleep like this ? ” 
Well, after breakfast this morning I got all fixed 
up again and I linked that beautiful sewin’-bag 
over my arm—I ain’t had nothin’ but an old 
faded one for years,—and I stuck a piece of that 
meltin’ good candy in my mouth, an’ tucked them 
lavender slippers in my bag,—wait. ( Turns her 
back to them, slips off arctics quickly, puts on 
slippers; turns around again.) And here I be! 
{Throws off shawl and stands revealed and trans¬ 
formed; white hair fluffed out beneath lacy cap; 


26 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


kimono becomingly fastened; knitting bag over 
arm. Others group about her pleased and sur¬ 
prised.) And I feel all different just knowin’ 
somebody understands. And I’m goin’ to try to 
carry this Merry Christmas with me all the rest 
of my life. 

Mrs. Joyce. Dear Mrs. Nixon, we're so glad! 
I think God helped us get that basket to you 
(children nod emphatically), since it makes you 
so happy. And we’d love to have you take din¬ 
ner with us, wouldn’t we, children ? 

Children (heartily). Yes indeed! do stay, 
Mrs. Nixon—— 

Lucile. And please keep on those things 
a while, you look so sweet in them! 

Mrs. Nixon. Well, I will, thank you, if you’re 
sure I ain’t intrudin’. (Happily.) Now ain’t 
this just a real old-fashioned Merry Christmas! 


CURTAIN 



How Christmas Came to the 
Orphans’ Home 

Play in two acts. Color scheme red and green. 
Twenty-two characters; ten boys and twelve 
girls. 


ACT I 

SCENE.— Interior of a living-room; fireplace in 
centre; armchair; rug; pictures on wall. 
Darkness except for firelight; little girl in 
white , Jessica, seated in armchair beside the 
fire. 

Note. —A fireplace may be constructed easily 
from a large and small packing box, and some 
red cambric chalked with white to represent 
bricks. The firelight effect may be gotten either 
by the use of lighted candles back of piled-up 
sticks of wood, or electric drop-lights similarly 
concealed from audience. 

27 



28 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Jessica (speaks). 

It's the night before Christmas 
And so many are glad, 

I just hate to think 
There is anyone sad. 

But I’ve heard there are children 
Who haven’t nice homes; 

So the joy of blest Christmas 
To them never comes. 

So I’ve asked Lew and Molly 
And Charlie and Bess, 

And Daisy and Dolly, 

And all of the rest, 

To come here to-night 
And we’ll talk it all over ; 

And see if there isn’t 
Some way to discover 
How we can do something 
For someone who misses 
The gladness of Christmas, 

And all of its blisses. 

(Jumps up exclaiming—“Here they come!" 
as the sound of sleigh-bells is heard, and a 
chorus of children's voices coming nearer 
and nearer, singing to the familiar tune, 
“Jingle Bells.") 

Chorus. 

Jingle bells! Jingle bells! 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


29 


Everywhere their music tells 
To-morrow’s Christmas Day-a-a-a! 

Jingle bells! Jingle bells! 

Now the ground is white; 

Oh what fun to ride and sing 
A sleighing song to-night! 

(A man's voice calls, “ Whoa! ” and the hells 
cease, and nine hoys and girls burst into the 
room, still humming the song; Jessica 
rises as they come in; meets them. Girls 
wear long red capes, the hoods of which are 
over their heads. A border of white cotton 
to represent fur edges hoods and capes. 
Boys wear green coats and red caps bordered 
with cotton. Ordinary clothing may be 
worn if expense must be considered .) 

Jessica (advancing to greet them). 

Heigho, Daisy! Heigho, Dolly! 

Charlie, Lew, and Bess and Molly! 

Everyone, I’m glad to see you; 

Sit here by the fire with me, do. 

{They group themselves on the arms of the 
chair, in it and on the hearth-rug. The boys 
toss off their caps, and girls throw back 
their capes revealing dainty dresses and be - 
ribboned hair.) 

Jessica {Continues). 

I've thought and I’ve pondered; 

And wondered and wondered, 


30 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


If there isn’t something we children can do 
To make Christmas glad, friends, 

For those who are sad, friends ; 

What thoughts have you had, friends, 

I’m depending on you! 

(Children sit in various thoughtful attitudes, 
studying the firelight for a moment, silently, 
then begin a sort of chant, with rhythmic 
motions of their bodies .) 

Firelight glimmer for us ; 

Night grows dimmer o’er us ; 

All we our thinking-caps put on! 

(Tap their brows.) 

Softly stealing o’er us 
. Kindly feelings; o’er us, 

While we our thinking-caps put on. 

And while we ponder 
In the warm soft glow; 

Our thoughts will wander as the snowflakes 
blow, 

Out to those sad ones 
Whom we do not know ; 

While we are thinking-caps put on— 

(A tap! tap! is heard at the door, and all turn 
their faces questioningly toward it, as two 
white-clad figures enter. Golden stars dot 
their flowing robes, which are caught in 
with ropes of tinsel, which also binds their 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


31 


hair. They stand at either side of the fire¬ 
place in the half-light, and say softly, hut 
clearly.) 

We are Christmas angels; 

Our names are Peace and Good-will. 

We came to the earth long, long ago; 

And we stay, for we’re needed still. 

So whenever a heart-voice calls us, 

As yours, dear ones, called to-night 
We hasten to bring an answer; 

And a Star ( points reverently upward) is 
our guiding light. 

We know you would bring glad tidings 
Of cheer to some hearts forlorn; 

And we’ll show you where you are needed 
To make a glad Christmas morn. 

So slip on your fur-trimmed wrappings 
( Children, including Jessica, do so), 

And come where we lead the way; 

We’ll bring you back safe and surely 
To spend a glad Christmas Day. 

( Children, chanting as before, follow as the 
Christmas Spirits pass out of the room.) 

Star-light glimmer o’er us; 

Night grows dimmer o’er us 
While we with helping hand do go; 
Christmas Spirits lead us ; 

Kindly feelings speed us, 


32 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


So we with helping hand will go. 

And while we wander o’er 
The snow’s soft glow; 

Where over yonder hearts are sad we know, 
Ministering children 
In this world below, 

All we with helping hand will go. 

(The curtain falls as the last words reach the 
audience, chanted softly as from a distance.) 

END OF ACT I 


Note. —During the short intermission for 
change of scene, some one might play “ Holy 
Night, Peaceful Night ” softly on the violin. 


ACT II 

SCENE I. —For this act the rug, chair, pictures 
and ornaments should he removed, leaving a 
bare room with only the fireplace and plain 
walls, to represent a room in an orphanage. 
Ten candles in simple candlesticks are on the 
mantelpiece. Curtain rises showing five little 
girls in severely plain, long night-dresses, hair 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


33 


parted and done in two tight little braids, all 
alike; and five little boys in equally plain night- 
drawers, hair plastered to heads, sitting in a 
straight row across front of stage. They are 
seated on little foot-stools, heads propped in 
their hands as they dolefully sing-song the fol¬ 
lowing verse, looking down at the floor. 

To-morrow will be Christmas Day; 

Oh dear me! 

And lots of folks are glad they say; 

Oh dear me! 

In homes where Mammas fond and true 
And Papas, love their children too ; 

But no such homes for me and you, 

(Shake heads dolefully looking at each other.) 
Oh dear me! 

(Raise heads and clasp hands around their 
knees.) 

To-night is Christmas Eve you know, 

Oh dear me! 

In happy homes they love it so, 

Oh dear me! 

They hang their stockings in a row, 

And Santa good and kind, you know, 

Just crams them till they overflow; 

Oh dear me! 

(Look at each other excitedly as each unrolls 
a little stocking held in his lap.) 


34 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Suppose we hang our stockings so ? 

You and me ; 

Before Jane calls, “ To bed you go! ” 

You and me. 

And maybe someone good and kind, 

Our row of stockings here will find, 

And leave a toy or two behind. 

Oh! dear! me! 

(Last in joyful accents .) 

(They tiptoe to the fireplace and hang them 
on nails in a row, then move back and gaze 
at them in half-frightened awe.) 

A Voice (is heard calling). 

To bed! to bed! you sleepy heads, 

*T is very late you know. 

Your candles light, and hold them right, 
And march out in a row! 

Note. —If the stage is large enough to arrange 
it, have a tree at either end and as the orphans 
chant their second verse, the other children, led by 
the Christmas Spirits, advance softly from either 
side, and form listening groups, hidden from the 
orphans by the trees, and at the words— 

And maybe someone good and kind 
Our row of stockings here will find, 
they look at each other as if to say: “ there, that’s 
it!” and tiptoe hurriedly out of sight. 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


35 


'{The children start guiltily at the call and 
hurry to light their candles; the girls turn to 
the left; the boys to the right, starting from 
in front of the mantelpiece, and keeping 
step to the following words, march out of 
sight.) 

Left! right! Good-night! 

Stars bright! snow white! 

Eyes tight till day-light. 

Good-night! Good-night! 

{Repeat.) 

(As soon as the last one is gone the other 
children appear, coming around the trees at 
either side of the stage. Each carries a bag 
full of things which he and she drop at the 
front of the stage; turn, pointing to the 
stockings, and exclaim.) 

There they are, see them! 

Oh! Oh! Oh! 

Their poor little stockings 
All in a row! 

(Then they open bags and reach into them, 
pulling out little red paper covered packages, 
and keeping in step hurry back to the fire¬ 
place, each one directing his attention to the 
stocking nearest in front of him. All say 
together as they push the red bags into the 
stockings.) 

Put some raisins in the toe, 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


(Run lightly back returning with second par¬ 
cel, and third, etc.) 

And some candies in the heel; 

A bag of nuts \s next ; 

Sakes alive! How good they feel! 

(Feel of lumpy stockings delightedly.) 

This banana must go in; 

And this nice red apple too; 

Now there’s not a bit of room 
Only, Mr. Orange, for you! 

(Then the girls alone return and kneeling place 
a doll beneath each of their stockings say¬ 
ing.) 

Here are dollies for the girls: 

(Then boys with drums.) 

Here are drums for the boys; 

Girls. 

Won’t they love their pretty curls! 

Boys. 

Won’t they make a jolly noise! 

(All together, still kneeling by stockings.) 

Isn’t this the very nicest 
Christmas Eve you ever knew ? 

I’m so glad we found out something 
We for other folks could do. 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


37 


Oh, I’m glad the Christmas Spirits 
Peace and Good-will lead the way! 

Oh, I’m glad, I’m glad for all things 
’Specially for Christmas Day! 

(They rise and backing toward either side of 
the stage raise warning fingers and tiptoe 
softly out. Keeping time with each step they 
say.) 

Sh! Sh! Sh! 

Be just as still as mice. 

Sh! Sh! Sh! 

Oh, don’t it all look nice! 

Sh! Sh! Sh! 

I’d love to see their eyes! 

Sh! Sh! Sh! 

They’ll be big with surprise! 

Sh! Sh! Sh! 

I wish that we could see ’em; 

Sh! Sh! Sh! 

I’d almost like to be ’em. 

Sh! Sh! Sh! 

But we must hurry! hurry! 

Sh! Sh! Sh! 

Or our dear folks will worry. 
CURTAIN 


Some appropriate Christmas music should be 
played while final scene is arranged. 


3 » 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


SCENE II .—Same room in orphanage; hare 
walls adorned with holly wreaths and festoons 
of green; lighted brightly to represent morning 
sunshine . 

TABLEAU.—One minute. 

(Orphan girls and hoys still in night clothes; 
hair tousled as if just out of bed; grouped 
about the fireplace; girls adoringly clasping 
dolls; or opening packages; boys in act of 
beating drums or exploring stockings. Two 
or three rubbing eyes sleepily. All looking 
excited and happy.) 


CURTAIN 


The Talented Dollies 


For, eight little girls. 

Doll Shop Woman. Taller girl dressed 
quaintly as old lady; wears cap and spec¬ 
tacles. 

Babette. Her assistant, dressed as French 
peasant child; black velvet bodice; full blue 
skirt; white cap; hair in two braids. 

French Dolls. Six smaller girls; fluffy white 
dresses; colored sashes, and butterfly bows 
on hair; as doll-like as possible. 

SCENE .—Doll shop; dolls of all kinds arranged 

in rows; tagged. 

Doll Shop Woman (appears first; says). 

Does any one wish to buy dollies? 

I've some wonderful ones in my shop. 

(Waves hand toward rows of dolls.) 

There’s short ones, and tall ones; 

There’s large ones, and small ones; 

And those that won’t break if they drop. 

39 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


40 

And I’ve six of such elegant dollies! 

That came here direct from Paree' ; 

They will talk if you wind them, 

And walk;—you will find them 

As gifted as dollies can be. 

I really must show you these dollies 

(Calls.) Babette,—the French dollies; please 
wind them! 

And bring them in here 
Very quickly, my dear; 

And mind you keep watch right behind them! 

(A tap! tap! of footsteps is heard approaching, 
and dolls appear, stepping exactly together; 
one after the other; bodies stiff; each step 
jerky and mechanical. Babette follows. 
As first doll reaches farther side of platform 
Babette goes behind her, pretends to turn 
screw, and doll stops abruptly, facing audi¬ 
ence. Babette repeats act to each in turn 
until they are in a row across platform; then 
hovers back of them. Doll Shop Woman 
stands at side front.) 

Doll Shop Woman (to audience). 

The first one (points) is Violet Lily, 

The second is Marie Louise, 

Then Rose Arabella, 

Eugenie and Stella; 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


41 


And Beatrice Claire, if you please. 

Babette, link their hands (Babette obeys )— 
now they’ll bow 

To you when she pushes a spring. 

(Babette pushes spring in first doll; dolls bow 
from knees up, stiffly, in unison.) 

Now friends, did you ever 
See toys quite so clever ? 

These dolls can do most anything! 

Now listen, and hear the dears talk! 

Say “ Papa ” (dolls in piping voices, 
“Papa”) and "Mama” ( dolls 

“Mama”) the dears! 

I know you will buy them; 

Come to-morrow and try them; 

You’ll not see their like, folks, in years! 

Go put them back careful, Babette! 

Wrap them all up in nice cotton, white; 
But first let them say 

E’er you take them away 
To our friends— 

Dolls ( unexpectedly ). “ Merry Christmas! 

Good-night! ” 


THE END 


The Christmas Picture 


As a sort of prologue to this little play, have 
some one tell the story of Dr. VanDyke's “ Other 
Wise Man/’ making it brief, simple and impress¬ 
ive, with some sweet Christmas melody coming 
between it and the play itself. 


CHARACTERS 

Mrs. Morley. 

Anne Morley, her daughter. 

Peggy and Emily, girl friends of Anne's. 
Norah, the Morley maid. 

(All parts may be taken by young girls.) 

SCENE.— Living-room of the Morley home; 
sofa facing audience; table with shaded lamp 
and books at side; holly decorations. Anne 
busy tying up Christmas presents. Time, 
Christmas Eve. 

Anne (with tired happy sigh). There, that's 
42 



CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


43 


the last. ( Places finger on each gift.) Mother’s 
knitting-bag, and Daddy’s slippers,—I do hope 
they’re the right size; and Tom’s skates,—if that 
boy knew how many dishes I’ve washed and 
chairs I’ve dusted, and beds I’ve made to earn 
them, he’d appreciate them, I guess! And Grand¬ 
ma’s cap,—the dear! I hope she’ll like the little 
rosettes. And this top for Dotty,—the best 
spinner that babykins ever saw. And Peggy and 
Emily’s books, and Norah’s apron. I don’t think 
I’ve forgotten anybody. My! but Christmas 
presents are exciting! Just the outside makes 

you all- There’s the door-bell. (Calls.) I’ll 

go, Norah! Oh, all right—tell them to come on 
in here. Heigho, girls! 

(Two girls enter room.) 

Peggy. Heigho, Anne! what you doing, tying 
up presents? I finished mine this afternoon. 
And the one for—oh! (claps hand over mouth) 
I almost told. I just can’t keep any kind of 
secrets. 

Emily. Isn’t it the hardest work? I’m just 
about bursting with ’em. But say, Anne, what 
we just came over for is to see if you can go 
down to the Ainslee Studios with us to see a 
wonderful picture. Aunt Nell is going to take 
us,—she has cards of admission. It’s by a new 
artist,—I can’t possibly say his name,—it begins 
with a Z—or maybe it is X.—Well, never mind 


44 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


(as they laugh), what’s a name anyhow? Can 
you go, do you suppose, Anne? 

Anne. Why, I guess so. 111 ask Mother. 
(Turns to leave room,) But what did you say 
the picture is? . 

Peggy (in awed voice). It is the Christ- 
child. Emily’s Aunt Nell saw it in New York 
and she says it is just lovely,—the face so sweet 
and pure, with eyes that seem to be looking way 
way down into your heart; and little outstretched 
hands as if He was asking you to love Him. 

Emily. I heard her say to Mother, “ a baby 
face with all the love and joy and sorrow of the 
world in it, if you can imagine such a thing.” 
She says it made her sort of sad and joyful at 
the same time. She wants very much for us 
girls to see it. 

Anne. And if I couldn’t go to-night,—won’t 
there be any other chance ? 

Emily. No, for it is only exhibited here this 
one evening; then it goes to another city. But 
I’m sure your mother will let you go. We will 
leave our house at eight. Hurry and ask her. 

Anne ( goes to door). Mother! Mother! I 
want to ask you something. 

(Leaves room. Girls take up hook from table 
and look at it together. Look up eagerly as 
Anne returns.) 


Both. Well? 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


45 


Anne. Mother says “ Yes, certainly! ” she 
wants me to see such a beautiful picture. Will 
you wait for me ? I can go in a few moments. 

Emily. No, we’ll have to go on. I promised 
Mother to take a basket of Christmas things to 
our laundress. 

Peggy.' And I have to put up some holly and 
pick over some raisins for Lucy’s pudding. 

Emily (as they rise to go). But you be sure 
to be in good time. Come over as soon as you are 
ready. 

( Good-byes! Anne sings happy little Christ¬ 
mas tune as she gathers up armful of gifts. 
You still hear her as she goes out of sight. 
She returns almost immediately, coat and hat 
in arms. Lays them on chair.) 

Norah ( enters excited). Oh, Miss Anne, 
darlin’, will you go and sit by Dotty a while? 
She’s woke up and wants your Ma, and she’s 
stepped over to Mrs. Taylor’s a minute. And 
I’m just puttin’ my pies in the oven, and if she 
gets wide awake she won’t get to sleep again for 
hours,—and the crust’ll get all soggy if I leave 
’em. ( Sees coat and hat.) Oh, was you goin’ 
out? 

(Anne looks dismayed; hesitates; looks at 
clock; then says smilingly.) 


46 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Anne. I can wait a few minutes I guess, and 
it never would do to spoil your nice Christmas 
pies. 

Norah. It's the blessed lamb of a child ye 
are now. And I’ll give you the piece wiih the 
fattest raisins in it shure, if I can diskiver which 
is it. And as soon as they're safe in the oven I'll 
go to the child meself, and sing her a song of the 
Irish fairies that’ll fair tickle the life out o’ her. 
(Goes out. Anne also goes out; you hear her 
voice singing the lullaby “ Sleep, Baby, Sleep ” 
over several times. Then Norah’s voice.) 
They’re in, Miss Anne. Oh, asleep, is she? 
Bless the wee thing 1 

(Anne reenters living-room, tiptoeing softly; 
looks at clock; starts to put on hat.) 

Anne. I must hurry! I do want so to see 
that picture of that wonderful baby! Just or¬ 
dinary babies are so sweet! I could hardly leave 
Dotty lying there with her old rag doll hugged 
up to her, and a dimply smile on her face. And 
this picture of the most wonderful Baby of all— 
how I shall love it! ( Telephone rings. Anne 
answers.) Yes, Mother, this is Anne. Mrs. 
Taylor’s Ted is sick? Oh, isn’t that too bad! 
You want me to bring over our hot-water 

bottle and the colic medicine-? Why, I 

(looks at clock) —why, Mother, I’m afraid I’ll 

miss—why, I said- Oh, never mind. Yes, 

I’ll come right over. Good-bye! (Aside, dis- 



CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


47 


tressedly .) Mother has forgotten about the pic¬ 
ture. ( Half crying .) Maybe she couldn’t have 
found any other way to get the things and little 
Ted is such a darling!—I couldn’t go on letting 
him have a pain for want of our hot-water bottle. 

(Hurries into hat and coat .) 

Norah ( comes in again ). Miss Anna, will 
you be back here again before you go for good ? 
I’ve a box I was late gettin’ ready, and I’ll be so 
much obliged if you’d drop it at Sister Molly’s. 
I’ll have it ready in ten minutes. 

Anne (looks again at clock anxiously ; be ¬ 
gins ). Why, I- 

Norah ( not noticing Anne’s distress ). It’s 
for me little nephew Patsey. He’s so crazy to go 
a-skatin’ and I been sittin’ up nights workin’ on a 
sweater for his Christmas, so he’ll be good and 
warm when he goes—he takes cold that aisy! 
’Tis the color of the little imerald isle itself, and 
will set off his red cheeks like green leaves does 
an apple. 

Anne. All right, Norah. I’ll manage to stop 
back for it. I have to take our hot-water bottle 
and colic medicine over to Mother now. Teddy 
Taylor’s got a bad pain. 

Norah. Och! Now ain’t that just like 
him!—to go havin’ a pain sich an inconvenient 
time as Christmas Eve! He’s the most unex¬ 
pected young one. Went and had croup on the 



CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


48 

Fourth of July, and the measles the day his aunt 
was married. And just the other day didn’t he 
go and swallow the very last button his mother 
was about to sew on his new overcoat—and —— 
( Telephone rings; Anne has gone out while 
Norah talks. At ’phone.) Yes’m,—no’m, no, 
I’m Norah. Miss Anne's gone on an errand. 
You’re waitin’ for her. Well, I guess she’ll be 
there soon. How soon? Well, I’d say fifteen min¬ 
utes. You’ll wait that long? I’ll tell her. Thank 
you. Good-bye! {Hangs up.) Now wouldn’t it 
be too bad if they went and left her \ I forgot en¬ 
tirely about her going somewhere special. But 
I’m hopin’ she’ll get back all in good time. (Goes 
about room “ tidying up ’phone rings again. 
Norah at ’phone.) Yes’m,—no’m, she’s not re¬ 
turned. You can’t wait? Can’t you now? That’s 
too bad. She’s just been doin’ errants, the dear 
little soul, for her Ma and Teddy Taylor’s 
stomach-ache, and the pies and the baby,— 

p’isoned the baby-? Oh, no! ( Laughs 

heartily.) It’s just my mixed up way of talkin’. 
Dotty’s far from p’isoned. ( Laughs again.) 
Tell Miss Anne to get some one to bring her 
down to the stoodio? Ye’ll leave word at the 
door about her? It’s open for an hour yet? All 
right, thank you, Ma’am. I’ll give her your mes¬ 
sage. ( Hangs up. Door-bell rings.) Well, 
there’s the door-bell. What now? ( Goes out; 
returns, folded note in hand, which she turns 
over interestedly.) Now whativer does the Boss 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


49 


want of Miss Anne, I'm wonderin'. I hope she 
won't be hindered no more. 

Anne (comes in out of breath from hurrying; 
says). Where's your box, Norah? Please 
hurry! 

Norah ( holds out note; says). Yer father's 
shower just left this fer ye; I'm hopin' it ain’t 
to hinder you again. Yer friends 'phoned 
they’ve started, but fer you to get some one to 
bring you down to the Stoodios, and they’d leave 
word at the door to let you in. 

Anne ( disappointedly ). Oh, dear! I don't 
see how I'll get there now. But maybe ( hope¬ 
fully) Mother will let me go alone this once. It 
isn’t far. ( Opens note, and begins to read aloud 
slowly, as Norah goes out.) “Little Daughter 
Dear:—Knowing how full Mother's hands are 
apt to be to-night I am calling on her right-hand, 
first-aid assistant to help me out on a little Merry 
Christmas undertaking. I’ve just discovered that 
a new man of ours has been having such a bad 
time, sickness, doctor's bills and house-rent 
raised—a lot of things like that; and that unless 
somebody helps out there isn’t going to be any 
Merry Christmas at his house to-morrow, for he 
couldn’t afford any Christmas dinner or tree, nor 
anything like that. And with three little kiddies 
around you can imagine things won't be very 
cheerful that way. So little Pollyanna, brighten- 
the-corner-where-you-are of mine (Anne 
laughs), I want you to get a basket and then tell 


50 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Norah you please want that chicken-for-salad she 
has cooked. I’ll buy her another at the delica¬ 
tessen’s on my way home, and a bunch of celery, 
one of her cranberry jellies; a loaf of bread; 
some butter; a pie; and oh, just anything you can 
wheedle out of Norah and Mother; and you pack 
them carefully into that basket, and James will 
stop with the car in an hour or so, and we’ll send 
a bit of Merry Christmas down to a little house 
on Logan Street. Good-bye, thank you, Dad.” 
{Slowly; brushes aside a tear.) Of course I 
can’t refuse Daddy,—not even if I was selfish 
enough not to want to help make that family 
happy. But I guess I’ll miss—well, I just mustn’t 
think about it. I’ll go right down and get Norah 
to help me pack that basket. {Goes out.) 

(A moment elapses, then a lady enters the 
room. She removes her wraps .) 

Mrs. Morley. I wonder where my little Anne 
is. Oh, I had forgotten, she was going to see 
that beautiful picture at the Ainslee Studios. I 
do hope I didn’t make her late. I couldn’t think 
of . anything but poor little suffering Ted. 
{Listens.) Why, I hear her now talking to 
Norah,—she’s back soon. I must run in now 
and see if my baby is sleeping well. {Goes out.) 

(Anne slowly reenters. Sits dow^i on sofa, 
hands clasped in lap. Looks very disap¬ 
pointed and sad.) 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


51 


Anne. It's too late to go now,—and I’ve 
missed seeing the Christ-child,—the beautiful 
Christ-child. 

(Mrs. Morley reenters room; sits down beside 
Anne; puts arm about her.) 

Mrs. Morley. Little daughter dear, Mother’s 
so sorry about your disappointment. If I had 
only remembered! But Teddy was so sick for 
a while, I didn’t think of anything else. And 
Norah has been telling me about all the other 
things. 

(Anne smiles bravely , swallowing the lump in 
her throat.) 

Anne. But Teddy is better, isn’t he, Mother? 
That’s the most important thing. 

Mrs. Morley. Yes, he is fine now. I think 
he’ll be able to eat his Christmas dinner and have 
another pain by to-morrow night. {Laughing.) 
But {soberly) he was a very sick little boy for 
a while. Doctor said our hot-water bottle and 
the colic medicine undoubtedly saved him a 
severe illness. 

Anne. Well, the basket is all packed for 
Papa’s man and his family; and I took Norah’s 
Patsey’s sweater around; and Dotty’s sound 
asleep; and Norah’s pies saved, and—and— 
maybe there’ll be another beautiful picture some 
day. {Swallows again.) 

(Mrs. Morley takes Anne’s hands into hers.) 


52 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Mrs. Morley. I’ve just been reminded, dear, 
of something I read the other day. Did you 
ever hear the story'of The Other Wise Man? 

Anne ( thinks a moment; then says). Why, 
yes, Mother, it was a beautiful story, of the Wise 
Man who expected to join his three friends and 
take his gifts of wonderful jewels to the Christ- 
child king; and so many things happened to delay 
him; the sick man; and the little baby he saved 
from Herod’s soldiers; and the slave-girl he 
ransomed. He gave up all his gifts for them and 
didn’t get to the baby Christ. And then years 
and years after he gtarted to find Him, when the 
poor wise man was old and white-haired and hurt 
and dying he does find the King at last. 

Mrs. Morley. And do you remember the 
sweet words that rewarded him for all he had 
done and given up? 

Anne. Yes I do, Mother, for they made me 
glad again after I had been feeling so terribly 
sorry for the poor Wise Man. ( Repeats them 
slowly and reverently.) “Verily I say unto 
thee, Inasmuch as thou hast done it unto one of 
the least of these my brethren, thou hast done it 
unto me.” 

Mrs. Morley {gently). Can you guess why 
I have been reminded of the Other Wise Man 
to-night ? 

{Goes out smiling, as Anne slowly shakes her 
head, puzzled.) 


CHRISTMAS PLAYS 


53 


Anne. I do wonder what Mother meant? 
Could it be that Teddy, and Norah’s Patsey, and 
Daddy’s folks are “ the least of these ” too! 
(Clasps her hands joyfully.) Oh, I’m glad, 
glad, glad, that I had a chance to be a little bit 
like The Other Wise Man! 


CURTAIN 









CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


4 


\ 


Christmas Recitations 


A GREETING 
For very small child. 

To all the folks on this side ( bows to right ) 

I’ll say a word or two. 

And then I’ll talk to this side, ( bows to left) 
Please wait until I’m through. 

Merry Christmas, you folks! (To right.) 

And Merry Christmas, you! (To left.) 

And if I’ve left out any one 

Here’s Merry Christmas, too. (Bows to 
center.) 


TELL SANTY 

Tiny girl, carrying little white stocking with pink 
heel and toe. 

If you should see Santy, 

Please tell him for me, 

To put on his specs, 

So he’ll be sure to see 
Among all our stockings 
That’s hung in a row, 

This wee little white one 
With a pink heel and toe. 

57 




58 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


SING A SONG O' SIXPENCE 

For a small boy. 

Sing a song o’ sixpence, 

A pocket full of money, 

{Jingles coin in left-hand pocket .) 

When you go buying Christmas gifts; 

But doesn’t it seem funny?— 

You buy one here, you buy one there. 

As with the crowd you mingle. 

And when you start for home again 
There’s not enough to jingle. 

{Turns right-hand pocket inside out; produces 
one penny.) 


CHRISTMAS HOPES 
For very little boy and girl . 

Girl. 

I’d like to have a dolly, 

And a striped top to spin ; 

A picture book that has a lot 
Of little kitties in; 

I’d like to have a dishes set, 

To play wiv Jane and Molly; 

And candy too,—but {wishfully) most of all 
I hope I get that dolly. 



CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


59 


Boy. 

I’d like to have a pair of skates; 

And train of cars that run ; 

A football, and an Injun suit; 

And war-boat with a gun; 

I hope I get a printing-press 

To write down names and dates; 
I hope I get a lot of things,— 

But gee! I want them skates! 


BOY WANTED 

If Santa Claus should put a sign 
Out some place where I’d see it,— 
“ Boy Wanted! ” well I’d go in quick 
And tell him I would be it. 

I’d help him in his candy shop, 

And I’d take lots of pains 

To paint the stripes real neatly 
On all the candy canes. 

And maybe if he dropped one 
And broke it, he would say: 

“ Here, this is spoiled,—don’t leave it 
Lying ’round, Boy, in the way!” 



6o 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


WONDERINGS 

We’d hunged up our stockings, and hopped in 
our beds; 

And the most lot of wonderings popped in our 
heads. 

And I says to Jimmie, 

And he says to me: 

“ How Santy Claus gets in is what I don’t see! ” 

For our chimney’s so little, and he is so fat! 

And we kept on a-wondering just like that. 

And I says to Jimmie, 

And he says to me: 

“ I f-I-was-n’t-so-o-o-sleep-y-I’d-wait-up-and-and- 
see—” 

And then,—it’s so funny,—the next thing we 
knew 

Mother called: “ Merry Christmas! ” and the 
night was all through. 

And I says to Jimmie, 

And he says to me: 

“ Oh Boy! Say look * Santy done it you see! ” 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


61 


SECRETS 

Secrets in the closets; 

Tired of hiding there; 

Secrets in the bureau drawers; 
Secrets in the air. 

Secrets in our eyes, 

And playing hide and seek 
Round the comers of our mouths; 
So very hard to keep. 

We're just bubbling over 
Each minute of the day. 

If Christmas doesn’t come soon 
We know they’ll get away. 


NOT LIKE JACK 

If I had been Jack Horner, 

And owned a Christmas pie, 

I’d say: “ Come on and have some! ” 
To be polite I’d try. 

I wouldn’t pull the plums out 
The way Jack did, for he 
Must have mislaid his manners, 

As you can plainly see. 



62 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


A WARNING 

A little gray mouse 
Does harm in a house; 

And I know it was right for Mother 
To set a steel trap 
That works with a snap; 

But it worried me,—somehow or other,— 

To see it to-night, 

Set to catch him, just right; 

All baited with cheese nice and yellow ; 
For I hate to deceive 
The poor mouse Christmas Eve; 

So I’ll warn off the little gray fellow. 

When the smart little chap 
Smells the cheese in that trap, 

He will see the sign Eve put upon it;— 
“ Keep off! Danger here! ” 

And beside it,—right near 
Is a cake with some pink icing on it. 

And I’m certain if mice 
Really know what is nice,— 

Even if he can’t read the sign;— 

He’d rather have cake; 

And won’t bother to take 
The cheese;—and he’ll get away fine. 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


63 


A CITY TREE 

My father likes the country, 

’Cause the trees are all so grand. 

He says the city’s nothing 

But things made by man’s hand. 

He says the apple trees in Spring 
Are glorious to see; 

And all the other trees in bloom 
Are lovely as can be. 

The willow trees beside the brook; 

And nut trees on the hill ; 

And grand old pine trees in the woods, 
So straight and tall and still 
My father loves; and ’course he’s right; 

The country trees are fine; 

The apple trees, and cherry trees; 

And tall and stately pine. 

But there’s one city tree, I know 
That country trees can’t beat; 

A shining, spangled Christmas tree 
Just full of things to eat \ 


6 4 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


THE OLD WOMAN PICKING HER GEESE 

“ The old woman’s picking her geese to-day,” 
Said Grandma, but all I could see 

Were just little snowflakes come fluttering down 
In front of the old pine tree. 

“ But where are the geese?—and Grandma, 

The old woman,—where is she ? ” 

“ Well, it looks very much as if she’s perched 
On a branch of the old pine tree.” 

And I looked, and I looked,—but nowhere 
That old woman could I see. 

Just little white fluttering flakes of snow 
In front of the old pine tree. 

Then I noticed a twinkle in Grandma’s eyes; 
And quickly I said: “ I see; 

But the feathers look quite like snowflakes 
In front of the old pine tree.” 


A SUSPECT 

Our postman is the nicest man! 

He comes most every day. 
And I go flying to the door 
Before he gets away. 



CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


65 


He brings me lots of valentines, 

And picture post-cards too; 

He’s always bringing things to folks; 
He never does get through. 

And Christmas time his big brown bag 
Is full as it can hold; 

He doesn’t seem to mind a bit, 
Although the days are cold. 

His cheeks are pink; his eyes are bright; 

He’s nice and fat and jolly; 

And in his buttonhole to-day 
He wore a sprig of holly. 

I tell you who I think he is! 

I’m mostly sure, because 
He acts ’xactly just the same! 

I think he’s Santa Claus! 


SANTA’S HIRED MAN 

I thought the other day I’d made 
A big dis-cov-ery; 

I’d wondered such a long time 
Just who Santa Claus might be. 



66 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


And our postman brings nice things 
To all the folks around; 

So I just thought Fd ask him 
The first good chance I found. 


To-day I met him at the door 
And said, “ Please tell me true,— 

I want to know so very much 
If Santa Claus is you.” 

His eyes looked down at me so kind, 
“ Now bless your little heart! 

You came so near to guessing it, 

I think you’re very smart! 

“ And so I’ll try to answer 
As truly as I can. 

I’m not old Santa Claus himself, 

I’m just his hired man. 


“ But if you’ve got a kiss to send 
To Santa, little miss, 

I’d like to take it right along! ” 
Well, ’course I sent that kiss. 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


67 


A TWISTED TONGUE 

Recitation for a little person who talks “crooked.” 

I spoke a piece on Christmas Day, 

The very best I could ; 

And everybody clapped their hands, 

And said I spoke it good. 

But just the same they laughed a lot, 

As if that piece was fun; 

My aunt said that she guessed "twas cause 
I’ve such a twisted tongue. 

I took my tongue right by the end, 

And held it good and tight ; 

And twisted it around and "round, 

And tried to get it right. 

And then I tried to speak that piece; 

But "tisn’t cured I guess,— 

Because I get stuck just the same 
With that old letter “ s ” 

I told my mother how I’d tried, 

And asked if I must wait 

A very long time did she s’pose 
To get my tongue out straight. 


68 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


And she just hugged me in her arms, 
When she heard what I’d done; 
And said she didn’t care how long 
The twist stayed in my tongue. 


BACKWARDS WORDS 

I know a little brown-eyed girl ; 

And you would laugh to hear 

Her get her words turned “ hind side fore,” 
They sound so very queer. 

Once she came running in the house 
Excited as could be; 

“ Mother! A little hopper-grass 
Jumped wight up onto me! ” 

“ I’ve borrowed Charleses’ barrow-wheel,” 

I heard her say one day; 

“ It makes a lovely wagon and 
I’m carting loads of hay.” 

She says that she likes “ veg’tables, 

Tatoes ” and all the rest; 

" Peas and beans and ’sparagus; ” 

But she likes “ upturns ” best. 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


69 


And how her eyes do sparkle 
When she sees her special treat, 
A big ripe “ melon-water; ” 

“ That’s what I like to eat! ” 

But just the funniest of all 
Was when she said to me, 

“ I hope I get some poppy-lolls 
Upon my Christmas tree.” 


A CHRISTMAS SOCK 

As Christmas Eve was drawing near 
1 1 thought: “ I’ll fix a plan. 

111 hang up just as long and wide 
A stocking as I can.” 

I thought of all the fat folks, 

Every single one I knew; 

But couldn’t find a one I thought 
Would just exactly do. 

Till Tom, the coal-man, came along. 

My! But he’s high and wide! 

So when he finishd shoveling coal 
I took him to one side. 



70 CHRISTMAS DOINGS 

And ’xplained about my plan, and he 
He laughed and said: “All right, 

I’ll bring along a good big sock 
As I go by to-night.” 

And so when Christmas Eve came ’round 
And bedtime came, I said: 

“ I’ll hang mine up there by and by.” 

And the others went to bed. 

So soon’s ’twas quiet I sneaked down 
And hung that sock up too. 

It did look funny hanging there! 

It was a Killy-Loo! 


’Twould hold a pint of peanuts 
And the biggest orange that grows, 

I really think; and candies, my! 

It surely was some hose! 

Wouldn’t the others’ eyes pop out 
When they came down for theirs. 

And saw my big fat sock! I chuckled 
All the way up-stairs. 

Well, Christmas morning came and I 
Woke up the first, and crept 
Down-stairs, while all the rest the house 
All unsuspecting slept. 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


71 


I couldn’t wait to see that sock; 

I was so very eager; 

The more I ’magined how it looked 
It kept on looking bigger. 

Well—when I saw them in a row, 

The rest were fat and lumpy, 

But that sock looked so limp ’twas only 
Just a little humpy. 

And when I took it down it didn’t 
Have but one thing in it. 

A bottle ’sides a little note,— 

I hurried to unpin it. 


“ Dear Jack—” it said, “ I never saw 
A change quite so stupendous, 

As how your foot has grown since last year; 
It must be tremendous. 

“ I really can’t think of a thing 
A boy the size of that 
Would need quite so much as a bottle 
Full of Anti-Fat. 

“ Sincerely, Santa Claus.”—I guess— 

I’m really ’fraid if I 
Had been a girl—I really am 
Afraid I’d had to cry. 


72 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Just then I saw a stocking 

Hanging there that looked like mine* 
And s’prised, I took a paper off, 

And read another line:— 

And Jack, when you thin down again 
The size a boy should be, 

Just help yourself to all these things 
You in this stocking see.” 

The Anti-Fat's out in the snow; 

The big sock’s out of sight. 

And I’m through fooling Santa Claus* 
It doesn’t seem just right. 


A KISS FOR THE PRETTIEST GIRL 

Grandpa’s a tease; so when Mary Louise 
And Jinny and me and Rose 
Noticed him under the mistletoe 
We whispered: “ Now what do you s’pose 

Grandpa is up to ? ” And by and by 
He saw us watching; “Hello! 

I’m waiting to kiss the prettiest girl. 

Who ? Now wouldn’t you like to know ? 



CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


73 


Jmme has eyes bright as stars in the skies; 

And Rose has golden curls; 

And Mary Louise has both of these 
And teeth that glisten like pearls. 

And Grandma praises my rosy cheeks 
And says I've a winning smile. 

How excited we grew as we wondered just who 
Grandpa had in his mind all the while. 


“ Most likely it’s Rose, for she has the best nose.” 

Or Mary Louise is the fairest.” 

Then somebody said though my hair's rather red 

That shade is considered the rarest. 

Grandma heard, sitting near, she was laughing, 
the dear! 

And her cheeks were the sweetest pale pink. 

And her eyes kind and bright, neath her hair 
silvery white; 

“ You will make them vain, Grandpa, I think.” 

“ You go first,” whispered Rose. “ It's a joke 
I suppose; 

. we>l] tr y i ust to see he’ll do.” 

Jinnie urged Lou and she said she'd try after 
me. 

So we kept it up,—" You go! ” " No, you! ” 


74 CHRISTMAS DOINGS 

Just then Cousin John called: “ Oh, Grandma, 
come on 

And see who this is in a sleigh.” 

Of course Grandma rose; and over she goes, 
Passing Grandpa right close on the way. 

But she didn't get by; for he laughed out: “ Oh, 
my! 

Was there ever such luck as this? 

The prettiest girl walks right into my arms.” 
And he gave her a sounding kiss. 


GOBBLE GOBBLE GOO! 

While Grandpa in vacation time 
Was showing Teddy 'round 
The old farm, that each visit 

Seemed in new things to abound; 

A little lonely speckled thing 
Came suddenly in view, 

And greeted them in cheerful notes 
With, “ Gobble gobble goo!" 

w That one's the only turkey left 
Of them hatched out last May,” 

Said Grandpa, “ Reckon he'll stay 'round 
Till long 'bout Christmas Day. 



CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


75 


“ I notice he's a pickin' up 
As if he knows his fate, 

And calculates to do his share 
Towards fillin' up the plate." 

As days went by and Teddy's stay 
Was coming to an end, 

Of things he hated most to leave 
Was one small speckled friend, 

That ever since the morning 
It first strutted into view 
Had never failed to greet him 
With its “ Gobble gobble goo!" 

Soon back again in town and school, 
The old farm fell behind 
In memory, till Christmas neared, 

And brought it back to mind. 

“ Now Pa will pick his turkey out,” 
Ted's mother said, and quick 
The thought flew into Teddy's mind: 

“ There's only one to pick." 

And that's the reason Grandpa got 
A note the following day, 

That made him laugh, while Grandma 
Slyly wiped a tear away. 


7 6 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


" Dere Grandpa,—Please if you don’t kare 
And Grandma’d just as soon, 

I wish you’d have a chickken 

Stead of turkkey Christmas noon. 

" I know it’s dredful fullish, 

But I don’t think I cud chew 

A mouthful of that turkkey 
That said: ‘ Gobble gobble goo! ’ ” 

And so, when Christmas Day came ’round, 
And dinner claimed a place, 

His grandpa said, half jestingly: 

" Come Teddy, you say grace.” 

And somehow, though a smile went round, 
No other grace was said, 

But Teddy’s “ thanks,” as reverently 
He bowed his curly head. 

“ Dear God, we thank you very much 
For all these things to eat; 

But most of all I’m glad that we’ve 
Got chicken for a treat.” 

Just then upon the window sill 
A speckled turkey flew; 

And gravely added his "Amen” 

’Twas "Gobble gobble goo!” 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


77 


KEEP THE POT A-BOILING 

I was all done buying presents; 

Books for Mother and Lou; 

Neckties for Bud and Father; 

Bet I was glad I was through! 

Got the last thing this afternoon, 

And had just a quarter to spare; 

And then’s when I sniffed that taffy place, 
And just nacherly aimed for there. 

Taffy! Um-m-m-m! but it did smell good: 

You could smell it way down the street! 
Thought to myself: “ Here’s where I have 
One good old-fashioned eat! ” 

Just then I heard a “ Ting-aling-ling! ” 
When my mouth was just a-spoilin’ 

For sweets,—that Salvation girl sings out: 

“ Keep the pot a-boilin’! ” 

She stood on the comer just between 
Me and the candy store. 

If only she’d waited another day! 

It made me feel kinda sore. 

Seem’s if she’s lookin’ straight at me; 

And her tongue didn’t need no oilin’, 
Seem’s that them words just cut the air: 

“ Keep the pot a-boilin’! ” 


78 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Then I happened to think I could go around 
The block, and not go near her; 

And I did, but when I got to the store 
I just couldn't help but hear her 
Callin’ and heatin' her tambourine ; 

Doin’ some extra toilin' 

To put my ear drums out of shape : 

“ Keep the pot a-boilin'! " 

“ For the poor children's Christmas treat," she 
says. 

That taffy seemed to beckon. 

'Twas runnin' competition with 
That Salvation girl, I reckon. 

But somehow my feet wouldn't take me in; 

They sorta seemed recoilin', 

And takin’ me towards her instead: 

“ Keep the pot a-boilin’! " 

Well!—I tried to sneak that quarter in 
So’s not to make a jingle. 

You feel so kind of showin' off, 

Or actin' like Kris Kringle! 

P ut Plump! it went, and she looked round; 

And my fun wasn't quite all spoilin', 

For she says, smilin' straight at me: 

“ Keep the pot a-boilin' l ” 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


79 


WHY I LIKE SUNDAY SCHOOL 

Do I like Sunday School? Oh, yes, 

Much as any boy I guess. 

Kind of hate to brush my hair, 

And scrub so much just to go there; 

And black my shoes, and wear a hat, 

And necktie;—but outside of that 
It’s not so bad,—I’m getting so 
I b’lieve I kind of like to go. 

The teacher’s nice, and tells us things 
’Bout shepherd boys that turns to kings, 

And all like that; and by and by 
When Sunday School is over I— 

I stick around, and wait to see 
If the minister’ll notice me; 

And when he comes along I slide 
And edge in somehow by his side. 

He’s wide around, and way up high, 

And when I’m standing by him,—why 
My brother Bill he says that we 

Are Mutt and Jeff, and Mother—she 
Says: “ William, if I ever hear 

That you’ve said! that when the minister’s 
near,— 

Such disrespect! and you my son,— 

Well—you’ll be sorry when I’m done.” 


8o 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Our minister’ll pat my head and say : 

“ Well, and how’s the boy to-day ? ” 

He don’t always know my name, 

But he knows me just the same. 
Sometimes “Jack” and sometimes “Jim, : 

But I don’t mind as long’s it’s him. 

For he’s mostly sure to say: 

“ And how’s that dog of yours to-day ? 

And it’s just as plain’s can be 
When he says that that he knows me. 
For when he comes to call on us 
My dog Joffre he makes a fuss; 

Wags his tail, and scampers ’round 
Glad as anything, that hound. 

And then our minister’ll say: 

“ And how’s the General to-day ? ” 

And then Joffre he gets so wild, 

Ma says: “ Put that dog out, child \ ” 
But he’ll be a-hangin’ ’bout 
When our minister goes out. 

And he’ll wag his tail till he 
Pats his head like he pats me. 

And that dog’s liking’s proof enough 
That our minister’s the right stuff. 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


8i 


A CHRISTMAS FOR LONESOME FOLKS 

I don’t s’pose I’d ever have found her 
If I hadn’t picked up the wrong hat 

The day I stopped in at the liberry,— 

The whole thing started with that. 

It was just a few days before Christmas; 

And snow was a falling and sleet; 

So a feller needed to wrap up warm 
From his head clean down to his feet. 

I was nosin’ around the liberry,— 

It’s warm and pleasant and bright,— 

I spend the most of my “ off ” hours there, 
And it keeps me cheered up a sight. 

For a roomin’ house gets kinda dreary, 

And an old feller gets kinda blue, 

And missin’ the home that he used to have, 
And—well, mopin’ around won’t do. 

Well, browsin’ among the bookstacks, 

I laid my hat down and so 

I clean forgot that I had a hat 
Till I noticed ’twas time to go. 

Mine wasn’t right where I’d laid it, 

But just a step off on a chair 

Was one that looked so much like it 
I s’posed I had left it there. 


82 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


Well,—I went on down the stairway, 

Till I got to the door, and that 
Reminded me it was winter outside, 

And so—I put on my hat! 

The janitor he stood near me 

When I put on that hat, and well,— 

It set on the top of my head about 
Like a good-sized peanut shell! 

I looked at him as I took it off; 

And then we both stood and laughed!— 

“ I sh'd say, Mistah Brown, that your hat's done 
shrunk 

A settin' aroun’ in the draft.” 

Well, of course I seen in a minute, 

“There's been a mistake it 'pears; 

But I'd a thought my hat would've slid 
Clean over the feller's ears.'' 

There was nothin' to do but go out in the cold 
A wearin' that peanut shell; 

But my feelin's didn't improve as I went 
It's hardly needful to tell. 

Pushin' chairs on the Boardwalk 
Is chilly enough at the best. 

So I was glad to get back to my room, 

And haul a cap out of my chest. 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


83 


The next day I stopped in the liberry, 
The janitor met me and says: 

“ The fellow was in that got yo’ hat 
An’ he left you his address.” 

“Antonio Barratti,— 

A plague-nation dago! ” says I, 

A wonder he wouldn’t’ve left the hat 
When he was a-passin’ by.” 


Well!—gettin’ along towards evenin’ 

I started to find the place 
Where Tony Barratt and me old friend hat 
Was livin’ nowadays. 

In a little side street I found ’em, 

In some rooms on an upper floor 
Of an old frame house,—but a nice clean place; 
And I met the chap at the door. 

He knew as soon as he seen me 
What I wanted, and says, says he: 

“ You coma to getta tha hat my frien’? 

Well, mos’ surely it don’ fitta me.” 

Do you know, as soon as I seen him 
I felt a kind o’ disgrace 
That I’d called him a “ plague-nation dago,” 

For the chap had a splendid face. 


8 4 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


He was slim and dark, with shinin’ eyes, 

And a mouth just cut out to smile. 

And he made me a bow at the door that I ’low 
Made just “ Howdy-do! ” worth while. 

“ Too bad I give you the trouble, sir, 

I make a mistake, you see; 

I guess my head it get los’ in a book 
Down there in the liberry. 

“ I worka you see in tha beeg hotel, 

I maka tha engine go. 

But when I have time I like to see 
What is good in tha books, you know. 

“And that day I forget it is getting late 
Till I look at my watch which say 

I spenda much time and I queeck mus’ go; 

An’ so I hurry away. 

“ I picka tha hat up offa tha shelf, 

An’ go like I beata tha ban’. 

For I think I will sure be late an’ I know 
Tha manager he won’ stan\ 

“An’ outa tha door like a streaka tha light 
With tha hat in ma han’ you see ; 

For (laughing, he touched his thick curly hair), 
It’s not so much need on me. 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


85 


“An’ I get almos’ to tha hotel when 
I guess what the people think 
Tha col’ winter night with my hat in ma han’ 
They guess I have taka tha drink. 

“ Well, Mister, you see how it don’ fitta me, 

I look like I have an eclipse/' 

Well,—we laughed and we laughed while his 
white teeth shone 
Between his red parted lips. 

Then he had to go to his work and so 
He sent me on up the stair; 

“ My little Toinette she will give it to you; 

You knock on tha firs' door there/' 

I knocked at the door, and a voice said: “ Come/' 
I opened it to see 
A little girl with a picture face 
In a wheel chair facing me. 

Her big dark eyes laughed up at me, 

From a little pale oval face. 

And her red lips smiled as her father's had; 

She seemed to brighten the place. 

“ You came for your hat I guess; didn’t you, sir? 

I scolded my papa for he 
Forgets just everything but books 
When he goes to the liberry. 



86 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


“ But we've taken the very best care of it,—" 

On the table beside where she sat 
Was something wrapped up in a satin scarf:— 
And I’m blest if it wasn’t my hat. 

“ And won’t you sit down! ’’ she says, polite; 

And I did, for I wanted to stay 
In the room awhile with that sunny smile; 

It lit up the dull winter day. 

And just in a minute we two was friends, 

Like we’d known each other for years; 

I guess she was glad of company too; 

For there’s only them two, it appears. 

And we talked of this, and we talked of that, 
And how she had got the fall 
That had hurt her back,—“ But Mister, I— 

I wouldn’t mind at all 

“If it wasn’t that Christmas is coming soon, 

And I can’t for the life of me see 
How I’m going to plan for my lonesome folks, 
And trim their Christmas tree. 

“ There’s the newsboy who lives on the floor be¬ 
low, 

And his old, old bent grandmother; 

And lame Miss Clay who sews every day, 

And hasn’t a sister nor brother. 


CHRISTMAS RECITATIONS 


87 


“ And the poor little girl who lives next door, 
And her papa,—because you see 
Their mamma just died,—and I 'member so well 
When that happened to Papa and me.— 

“ My papa's so good, I know he would 
Just manage it all some way 
If he knew what I wanted to do, but he 
Is so busy and tired every day, 

“ That I don't want to ask him to trim a tree, 
And fix up our rooms,—but oh \ 

I just keep hoping there’ll be a way. 

And thinking out things, you know. 

“ Look!" she opened a box within reach of her 
hand; 

Her little face all alight. 

It was full of paper flowers made 
Of every color that's bright. 

“ Can't you just see how they'll look on a tree? " 
“ I sh’d say I can! " says I, 

“ You'd think you's turned loose in a flower bed 
Along in June or July." 

“ And I made this pin-cushion to s'prise Miss 
Clay,. 

And this apron for Dick's grandmother ; 

And I'm. dressing my dolly for little Nell 
Sometime I may have another. 


88 


CHRISTMAS DOINGS 


“ But I want to knit a muffler for Dick, 

And one for Nell’s father, but how 
To get the wool without bothering 
My papa’s what worries me now.” 

Well, all in a flash it come to me;— 

“ See here, why won’t I do 
To help fix things for your lonesome folks, 
And do them errands for you ? ” 

Well! I told you her smile lit up that room 
Before;—but bells was ringin’, 

And flowers bloomin’, and little birds 
Just bu’stin’ their throats a-singin’ 

After I’d said them words;—for she 
Just bubbled over with joy;— 

And I seemed to catch the disease myself, 
Till I felt like a frisky boy! 

Well,—the long and short of it is that now 
Little Toinette and me 
Spend every minute we can on plans 
For her lonesome folk’s Christmas tree. 


THE END 




THE PLAYS OF HENRIK IBSEN 

A Doll's House* —Play in Three Acts. Translated by W. Archer. 

3 males, 4 females, and 3 children. Scene, an interior. Free for ama¬ 
teur performance. Plays a full evening. Price, 33 cents. 

An Enemy of Society* —Play in Five Acts. Translated by W. 
Archer. 9 males, 2 females. Scenes, all interiors. Free for amateur 
performance. Plays a full evening. Price , 33 cents. 

Ghosts* —Drama in Three Acts. Translated by W. Archer. 3 males, 

2 females. Scene, an interior. Free for amateur performance. Plays 
a full evening. Price, 33 cents. 

Hedda Gabler* —Drama in Four Acts. Translated by E. Gosse. 3 
males, 4 females. Scene, an interior. Free of royalty. Plays a full 
evening. Price, bo cents. 

The Lady from the Sea* —Drama in Five Acts. Translated by C. 
Bell. 5 males, 3 females. Scenery, varied. Free for amateur perform¬ 
ance. Plays a full evening. Price , 33 cents. 

The Master Builder* —Play in Three Acts. Translated by E. Gosse 
and W. Archer. 4 males, 3 females. Scenery, varied. Plays a full 
evening. Free for performance. Price , bo cents. 

Peer Gynt* —Play in Five Acts in Verse. 31 male, 15 female char¬ 
acters. Scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. Arranged for 
the stage by the late Richard Mansfield. Price, 33 cents. 

The Pillars of Society* —Play in Four Acts. Translated by W. 
Archer. 10 males, 9 females. Scene, an interior. Plays a full even¬ 
ing. Free for amateur performance. Price, 33 cents. 

Rosmersholm* —Drama in Four Acts. Translated by M. Carmichael- 

4 males, 2 females. Scenery, varied. Acts a full evening. Free for 
performance by amateurs. Price, 33 cents. 

The Wild Duck. —Drama in Five Acts. Translated by E. M. Avel- 
ing. 12 males, 3 females. Scenes, all interiors. Plays a full evening. 
Free for performance. Price, 33 cents. 

The Young Men's League* —Play in Five Acts. Translated by 
H. Carstarphen. 12 males, 6 females. Scenery, varied. Perform¬ 
ance free. Price, 33 cents. 

THE PLAYS OF OSCAR WILDE 

An Ideal Husband* —Comedy in Four Acts. 9 males, 6 females. 
Scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. The acting rights are 
claimed by Charles Frohman. Price , bo cents. 

The Importance of Being Earnest*— Farce in Three Acts. 5 
males, 4 females. Scenes, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full 
evening. Acting rights claimed by Charles Frohman. Price , bo cents. 

Lady Windermere's Fan*— Comedy in Four Acts. 7 males, 9 fe¬ 
males. Scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. Acting rights 
claimed by Charles Frohman. Price , bo cents. 

A Woman of No Importance.— Comedy in Four Acts. 8 males, 7 
females. Scenery, three interiors and an exterior. Plays a full even¬ 
ing. Charles Frohman controls the stage rights. Price , bo cents. 

Costumes modern in all cases. 

BAKER, Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass. 










U vo*t u/d oyu 

THE WILLIAM WARREN EDITION OF PLAYS 


Price, 25 cents each. 

As You Like It* —Comedy in Five Acts. By Wm. Shakespeare. 13 
males, 4 females. Based on the prompt-book of Miss Julia Marlowe. 

Camille* —Drama in Five Acts. From the French of A. Dumas, Fils, 
by M. Aldrich. 9 males, 5 females. A new acting version of this 
popular play. ’ 

Caste*—An original Comedy in Three Acts. By T. W. Robertson. 4 
males, 3 females. The famous Boston Museum prompt-book. 

Ing Omar*—Play in Five Acts. By M. Lovell. 13 males, 3 females. 
Printed from the prompt-book of Julia Marlowe, giving all her stage- 
business. 

London Assurance* —Comedy in Five Acts. By Dion L. Boucicault. 
10 males, 3 females. The Boston Museum version of this famous 
comedy. 

Macbeth* —Tragedy in Five Acts. By W. Shakespeare. 23 males, 4 
females. The version formerly used at the old Boston Museum. 

Mary Stuart* —Tragedy in Five Acts. From the German of Schiller. 

13 males, 4 females. Printed from the prompt-book of Mme. Modjeska. 

The Merchant of Venice* —Comedy in Five Acts. By Wm. Shake 
speare. 17 males, 3 females. A new acting version based on the 
prompt-book of the late Henry Irving. 

A Midsummer Night's Dream*— Comedy in Three Acts. By 
W. Shakespeare. 13 males, 10 females. An arrangement of this play 
for schools and colleges. 

Much Ado About Nothing. — Comedy in Five Acts. By W. 
Shakespeare. 17 males, 4 females. Arranged by Mr. Winthrop Ames. 

Our Hoys* —Comedy in Three Acts. By H. J. Byron. 6 males, 4 fe¬ 
males. Arranged by Frank E. Fowle. 

Richelieu*— Play in Five Acts. By Sir E. B. Lytton. 15 males, 2 fe¬ 
males. This version follows closely the version of Mr. Edwin Booth. 

The Rivals*— Comedy in Five Acts. By R. B. Sheridan. 9 males, 5 
females. Printed from the prompt-copy used at the Boston Museum. 

The School for Scandal* —Comedy in Five Acts. By R. B. Sher¬ 
idan. 12 males, 4 females. The Boston Museum version. 

A Scrap of Paper* —Comedy in Three Acts, From the French of 
Sardou by J. Palgrave Simpson. 6 males, 6 females. The Boston 
Museum version of this delightful piece. 

She Stoops to Conquer* —Comedy in Five Acts. By O. Goldsmith. 
15 males, 4 females. Printed from the Boston Museum prompt-book. 

The Silver Spoon*— Comedy in Four Acts. By J. S. Jones. 10 males, 
9 females. A revised version of this old “ hit ” of the period before the war. 

Twelfth Night OR, What You Will.— Comedy in Five Acts. By 
Wm. Shakespeare, 10 males, 3 females. A new acting version of this 
comedy, based on the prompt-book of Miss Julia Marlowe. 

Costumes of the period in all cases , Scenery usually rather elaborate. 

BAKER, Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass* 
















